UTV faces opposition to Irish TV launch

Plans by UTV Media, the Belfast-based broadcaster, to launch a TV channel in the Irish Republic are facing opposition from an existing channel, TV3, reports the Sunday Times.

TV3 has "voiced grave concerns" about the launch to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) over UTV's application for an Irish television licence.

The Irish broadcaster is reportedly "seeking clarity from the BAI on what it claims is a loophole in the legislation that may allow UTV to be licensed [in the Republic] while escaping the obligations placed on TV3 and RTE."

TV3, which is owned by Doughty Hanson, a British private equity fund manager, was launched in 1998.